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New ZcopyReaper Linux Kernel Vulnerability Enables Privilege Escalation Attacks

ZcopyReaper (CVE-2026-43502) lets unprivileged local attackers reach root on Linux via an RDS zero-copy cleanup flaw dating to kernel 4.17.

CVE-2026-43502 is a lifetime-management error in rds_message_purge() that mishandles zero-copy sends before socket attachment, corrupting kernel memory and enabling local privilege escalation without capabilities or user namespaces. NebuSec demonstrated the exploit on openSUSE kernel 6.4.0-150600.23.100; vulnerable systems need CONFIG_INET, CONFIG_AIO, CONFIG_RDS, and CONFIG_RDS_TCP. The fix landed in mainline commit 44b550d88b26 (Linux 7.1-rc3) with backports to Ubuntu 7.0.0, 6.8.0, and 5.15.0 kernels and multiple Debian branches. NebuSec also released public exploits for 20 additional Linux kernel vulnerabilities in its CyberMeowfia repository.

Hackers deploy Linux rootkit on F5 BIG-IP APM devices, hiding web shell in memory

Sophos analyzed a Linux rootkit, tracked as PoisonedRefresh, on hacked F5 BIG-IP APM devices hiding an in-memory web shell linked to exploited CVE-2025-53521.

Sophos and ESET analyzed an implant (named PoisonedRefresh by ESET) deployed on compromised F5 BIG-IP APM appliances, which serves enterprise, financial, government, and public sector deployments. The second-stage payload intercepts __libc_start_main, hooks Apache's APR module loader (apr_dso_load), RC4-encodes key strings, and rewrites PHP file reads in memory to embed a web shell inside legitimate scripts like apm_css.php3, full_wt.php3, and webtop_popup_css.php3, leaving on-disk files unchanged. A related installer component infects /usr/sbin/httpd, persists across BIG-IP upgrade images, modifies SELinux configuration, and deploys the payload. The malware also creates a Unix domain socket at /run/bigtlog.pipe that hands authenticated local connections to /bin/bash; F5 links the activity to CVE-2025-53521, an unauthenticated RCE in BIG-IP APM already exploited in the wild.

Help Net Security · 7d agoMalware in the wildCVE-2025-535211

PoisonedRefresh: A Fileless Linux Rootkit That Injects PHP Web Shells Into F5 BIG-IP APM Server Memory

Sophos details PoisonedRefresh, a fileless Linux rootkit that injects a memory-resident PHP web shell into F5 BIG-IP APM after exploitation of CVE-2025-53521.

On September 8, 2026, SophosLabs published an analysis of Linux/Agnt-IC (dubbed PoisonedRefresh by ESET) found in compromised F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager environments. Initial access leverages CVE-2025-53521, an unauthenticated RCE in BIG-IP APM when an access policy is configured on a virtual server; F5 confirmed exploitation and links the activity to cluster c05d5254, while Shadowserver observed 795 exposed vulnerable endpoints. A first stage hidden in a modified umount binary modifies /usr/sbin/httpd and SELinux configuration and embeds itself in BIG-IP upgrade images for persistence. The second-stage ELF intercepts __libc_start_main, hooks apr_dso_load, and injects a PHP web shell into libphp memory via mmap manipulation, leaving no disk artifacts, and exposes a /bin/bash shell via a local UNIX domain socket instead of a TCP port.

Security Affairs · 7d agoMalware in the wildCVE-2025-53521

F5 BIG-IP APM Malware Injects a PHP Web Shell Into Memory, Evading Disk Scans

Sophos found F5 BIG-IP APM malware that injects a PHP web shell into Apache's memory, evading disk scans, linked to exploited CVE-2025-53521.

Sophos's September 7 analysis describes malware tied to F5's c05d5254 activity that hooks apr_dso_load, modifies the libphp PHP module in memory, and injects a PHP web shell when Apache loads apm_css.php3, full_wt.php3 or webtop_popup_css.php3, leaving on-disk files clean. A separate installer infects /usr/sbin/httpd and umount, runs before Apache starts, disables SELinux (per ESET's related PoisonedRefresh analysis), and opens a local socket at /run/bigtlog.pipe for shell access. The activity is linked to CVE-2025-53521 in BIG-IP APM, rated 9.8 CVSS 3.1, patched in October 2025, added to CISA KEV on March 27, 2026.

The Hacker News · 7d agoMalware in the wildCVE-2025-53521

19 Chrome and Edge Extensions Found With Wallet-Stealing and Crypto

Socket found 19 malicious Chrome and Edge extensions, active since February 2024, stealing wallet seed phrases and credentials and draining crypto from about 80,000 users.

Socket researcher Karlo Zanki documented a cluster of 18 Chrome and one Edge extensions with wallet secret stealing and cryptocurrency draining capabilities, tracked as campaign Superior and possibly active since February 2024. The actor created 14 extensions and bought five legitimate ones, later pushing malicious updates; the largest, Enable Right Click & Copy, has roughly 80,000 installs across both browsers. The extensions maintain WebSocket C2 connections with endpoint rotation, strip CSP headers, and load 16 modules including multi-chain wallet drainers, hardware-wallet seed-phrase harvesters, credential grabbers, and ClickFix-style lures.

The Hacker News · 18d agoMalware in the wild

2026-005: High Vulnerability in the Linux Kernel ("Copy Fail")

Linux kernel flaw CVE-2026-31431 ('Copy Fail', CVSS 7.8) allows unprivileged users to gain root via AF_ALG; a public PoC is out and most distros remain unpatched.

Disclosed on 29 April 2026, CVE-2026-31431 is a local privilege escalation in the Linux kernel's algif_aead module (AF_ALG crypto API), CVSS 7.8, stemming from a 2017 in-place optimisation. By chaining an AF_ALG socket operation with splice(), an unprivileged user can write 4 bytes into an arbitrary page-cache page, e.g. corrupting a setuid binary like /usr/bin/su to obtain a root shell. It affects virtually all kernels built since 2017, including Ubuntu 20.04-24.04, Amazon Linux 2023, RHEL 10.1, and SUSE 16; the mainline fix landed 1 April 2026 but no vendor packages were available as of 30 April. CERT-EU recommends the interim mitigation (disable algif_aead) and blocking AF_ALG via seccomp, prioritising Kubernetes nodes and CI/CD runners.

CERT-EU Advisoriesupdated · 9d agofirst · Apr 29, 2026Exploit / PoC 6 sourcesCVE-2026-31431

Hackers breach F5 BIG-IP APM devices to deploy Linux rootkit

Sophos analyzed a Linux rootkit on F5 BIG-IP APM devices that injects a fileless PHP web shell, likely after CVE-2025-53521 exploitation.

Sophos analyzed a Linux rootkit targeting F5 BIG-IP APM environments, also tracked by ESET as PoisonedRefresh, which hijacks Apache's apr_dso_load module loader to inject a fileless PHP web shell into memory. The implant intercepts __libc_start_main, hides strings with RC4, creates a password-protected local UNIX socket backdoor for interactive Bash access, and persists across BIG-IP upgrade images while modifying SELinux configuration. It is likely a second-stage payload following exploitation of CVE-2025-53521, a critical RCE flaw F5 reclassified from a DoS issue in March. The ShadowServer Foundation tracked 795 F5 BIG-IP APM endpoints exposed online.

BleepingComputer · 7d agoMalware in the wildCVE-2025-53521

Dell Secure Connect Gateway Vulnerabilities Allow Hackers to Gain Unauthorized Access

Dell patches three critical flaws (CVSS up to 9.8) in Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 enabling admin token replay, unauthenticated RCE, and root escalation.

Dell disclosed three critical vulnerabilities in Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 appliance and application deployments. CVE-2026-80172 (CVSS 9.8) lets unauthenticated attackers replay captured requests, which lack nonce validation and time limits, to repeatedly mint administrator access and refresh tokens. CVE-2026-61410 (9.4) is a missing-authorization flaw enabling unauthenticated remote command execution, and CVE-2026-80238 (9.3) is an exposed Docker socket allowing local privilege escalation to root and container escape. Fixes ship in appliance 5.36.00.16 and application 5.36.00.00.